Royal Auping and DSM-Niaga Team Up on Tough to Recycle Product : VIDEO: Dutch Firms Develop Fully Recyclable Modular Mattress

DSM-Niaga Royal Auping mattress recycling
© DSM-Niaga

A completely redesigned modular mattress enables every component be separated easily recyclabled for reuse in a new mattress has been developed in the Netherlands by Royal Auping and DSM-Niaga.

DSM explained that mattresses are one of the main contributors to global landfill waste due to the complex combination of materials glued together. However, the partners have developed an alternative for mattress manufacturing, including local recycling, that also enables frequent maintenance for quality and hygiene purposes.

The first mattresses will be placed at Landal GreenParks resorts before the end of the year.

An estimated 1,5 million mattresses are disposed every year in the Netherlands alone, 35 million in Europe and 20 million in the US. An increased focus on recycling by mattress manufacturers has grown the demand for reduced materials complexity and new ways to connect layers in a reversible manner.

It all started at mattress manufacturer, Royal Auping, more than a century ago. Now, with DSM-Niaga’s support, the company claimed to have developed a modular solution which uses healthy materials and the closed loop approach of the (re)production.

The fully recyclable mattress excels in airflow and has a modular design that consists of six components: the ticking, comfort layer, pocket spring, felt floor, zippers and tape rush which are brought together by yarn and a reversible adhesive.

All components can be replaced when comfort or hygiene demands, securing a good night’s sleep again and again. The unique collaboration of local production and partners, all within 100km of the Auping factory, facilitates local recycling without compromising on quality.

Collaboration

In the collaboration with DSM-Niaga, Royal Auping used its experience in manufacturing of high quality mattresses and now added circularity as a leading factor.

“Comfort and body support have been crucial for as long as Auping has existed. Over the years our focus shifted from the product to the actual service we provide to people every day: a good night sleep,” explained Jan-Joost Bosman, CEO of Royal Auping.

“This new focus introduced new design challenges as airflow through the mattress, replacement of end of life parts, and the impact of all elements on our sleep and long-term health,” the CEO continued.

Kelly Hall, Managing Director of DSM-Niaga added: “Conscious of the fact that most mattresses end up landfill or incinerated, we used all of DSM-Niaga’s materials science to meet Auping’s demands for quality and comfort, by using only materials that are known for no negative impact on our health, fully recyclable into new mattress components, and connected in a reversible way.”

A video explaining the process can be viewed below.

https://youtu.be/DJa61UkYDtM

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